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To: Poet who wrote (10711)	4/25/2002 12:01:08 PM
From: Tom Clarke	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 21057

I do regret the sense of otherness that the creation of the word has caused....

To: Poet who wrote (10711)	4/25/2002 3:30:55 PM
From: J. C. Dithers	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 21057

There's nothing vague or amorphous about its meaning Meanings of the words: homophobe & homophobia The word "homophobia" was invented by George Weinbert who defined it as "the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals." It grew to mean a general "fear of homosexuals or of homosexual behavior." But the English language is in a continuous state of flux. Words develop different meanings as people develop a new consensus on their definition. This is why older translations of the Bible (e.g. the King James Bible of 1611 CE) are difficult for many people to read. Most people agree that: Racism means hatred of, or discrimination against, persons of a specific race, usually a minority. Sexism means hatred of or discrimination against persons of a specific gender, usually female or intersexual. Xenophobia means hatred of or discrimination against persons of another nationality, usually a minority. Relism is a non-existent word that we would like to see added to the English language. It would mean "hatred of, or discrimination against, persons of a specific religion affiliation, usually a minority." Homophobia is rapidly changing its meaning to: "hatred of or discrimination against persons with a homosexual orientation." Homophobia is an attitude; homophobe is a person who exhibits homophobia; homophobic is an adjective. But the word "homophobia" is hopelessly inadequate to cover the full range of people's negative beliefs about individuals of minority sexual orientations. For example, some people: 1.actively work towards defining homosexuals as a minority group which should be deprived of those fundamental human rights which are enjoyed by others e.g.: The right to marry. Job security -- to be not fired because of their sexual orientation, Being free of discrimination in accommodation, Being included as a protected group in hate-crime legislation. 2.Attempt to love the homosexual even while condemning homosexual activity as a sin that they feel is hated by God. 3.Hate all persons with a homosexual orientation, even those who remain celibate. 4.Feel that persons with a homosexual orientation are sub-human and can be physically attacked with impunity. 5.Have an irrational fear of gays and lesbians. Unfortunately, there is only one word, "homophobia" in general use. And it is rapidly becoming a "snarl" word like racism or sexism. Many conservative Christians see themselves in category 2 above, feel that their beliefs and practices are Biblically based, and deeply resent being called homophobes for simply carrying out what they believe are God's wishes. The English language obviously needs a group of words to describe each of the forms that opposition to homosexuality takes. But they do not yet exist. In our web site, we define these words in terms of actions, not beliefs: homophobia as the wish to restrict the human rights of persons who have a homosexual orientation and/or who engages in homosexual behavior. This includes what many believe to be the most important human right: marriage recognized and registered by the government. homophobe as a person who wishes to maintain special rights for heterosexuals. Copyright © 1998 to 2001 incl., Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance Latest update: 2000-JUL-25 Author: B.A. Robinson